Peter Simon, the British entrepreneur and art collector, is set to sell his extensive art collection through Christie’s in London from October 14 to 20. The sale, titled "Monsoon: The Peter Simon Collection," spans day, evening, and online auctions and showcases works accumulated over nearly three decades.

Simon’s interest in art reportedly began through his relationship with the late artist Wallis, who introduced him to the St Ives school of painters—a connection that influenced his early acquisitions. His collecting activity accelerated significantly following the public listing of his retail company, Monsoon, in 1998, when he gained substantial financial means. Over the years, Simon has developed a reputation for acquiring pieces that he personally loves, rather than focusing primarily on investment potential.

Among the highlights of Simon’s collection are works by prominent 20th and 21st-century artists, including Fernand Léger and Andy Warhol. Despite the breadth of his collection, Simon holds back a few treasured pieces, such as a painting by Winifred Nicholson and another linked to the St Ives tradition, choosing not to include them in the sale.

Reflecting on his collecting journey, Simon notes occasional missteps, citing a £5 million Agnes Martin piece he later sold at a loss after realizing it did not fit his tastes. He expressed regret over missed opportunities to acquire notable works by Gerhard Richter and David Hockney. An offered Hockney painting, which featured a nude male subject, was declined by Simon due to personal reasons, although its value eventually rose significantly.

As for his decision to part with the collection, Simon describes it as a "time of life thing," emphasizing a desire for change and the practical challenges of housing a substantial number of artworks. His home, a converted artist’s studio, has reached capacity, and he prefers not to keep art in storage due to concerns about damage and fire risk, given the value of the pieces on his walls. He also cited a wish to oversee the collection’s dispersal in an orderly manner, rather than leaving it to his children, whom he expects may easily sell or fragment it.

Peter Simon, who has six children from different relationships and prefers to keep his family life private, indicated that despite the impending sale, he remains engaged with the art world. He plans to attend the Frieze Art Fair but is not currently focused on purchasing new works. He describes living with "bare walls" for the moment and likens himself to a figure poised to dive into a swimming pool, anticipating a new chapter but uncertain of what lies ahead.

The upcoming auction at Christie’s represents a significant turning point for Simon, who views the sale both as a conclusion to a long collecting phase and an opening to future possibilities in art.